A Potential Role of Fructose to Modulate Fibroblast Growth and Expression of Connective Tissue Growth Factor In vitro

Aims: Hyperglycemia has been posited to have an effect on the healing process at the cellular level, particularly on fibroblasts that produce extracellular matrix components including collagen. However, the mechanisms underlying this process have yet to be fully elucidated. In addition, excessive intake of fructose-containing drinks has recently been shown to induce hyperglycemia, and fructose induces metabolic changes that may influence normal wound healing. Therefore, we investigated the effect of fructose on the cellular proliferation of cultured fibroblasts.

Materials and Methods: The murine fibroblastic cell line NIH3T3 was incubated in the DMEM medium with or without the supplementation of either glucose (0.3, 1.4, or 2.8%) or fructose (1.4 or 2.8%) and was analyzed using microscopy, proliferation assays, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to determine the expression levels of type I collagen and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF).

Results: Our results demonstrate that In vitro culture in fructose-supplemented media suppressed fibroblast proliferation. The suppression of the expression levels of CTGF was also observed. Conclusion: These results suggest that fructose represents a dietary factor with a negative effect on wound healing via the modulation of CTGF expression.